Convertible wearing apparel

ABSTRACT

A garment comprises a body having a front side and a back side, and sleeves attached to the body. The garment further comprises a bottom flap movably attached to the back side of the body, the bottom flap convertible between a first position and a second position. The sleeves of the garment may each further comprise a front side and a back side, a first flap movably attached to the back side of each sleeve and convertible between a first position and a second position. The back side of each sleeve may be longer than the front side of each sleeve. The flaps movably attached to each sleeve may each have a first and a second side, the first and the second sides each formed from fabric having a different pattern, color, texture, or other perceivable distinction than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to infant wearing apparel, and moreparticularly to convertible infant wearing apparel.

2. Description of Background

Infant sleeping “sacks” generally include a “sack”-like bottom in whichthe infant's legs and feet are enclosed. To access the infant foractivities such as diaper changes, a zipper running the length of thegarment must be unzipped, exposing the infant's body, making the infantuncomfortable and the diaper change more difficult. These sleep sacksalso do not enclose the infant's hands, leaving the infant exposed togerms and bacteria, and susceptible to scratches from the infant'sfingernails. While some infant sleep sacks include swaddling flaps thatconstrain the infant's arms, the flaps limit the infant's mobility andcomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a garment comprises abody having a front side, a back side, a top opening, and a bottomopening. A first sleeve is attached to the body near the top opening,and a second sleeve is also attached to the body near the top opening.The garment further comprises a bottom flap movably attached to the backside of the body. The bottom flap is convertible between a firstposition wherein the bottom opening of the body is in an open position,and a second position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in aclosed position. When the bottom flap is in the first position, suchthat the bottom opening is open, the infant's legs and feet are exposedand accessible.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first sleeve andthe second sleeve of the garment each have a front side and a back side.The garment may further comprise a first sleeve flap movably attached tothe back side of the first sleeve, and a second sleeve flap movablyattached to the back side of the second sleeve. The sleeve flaps areconvertible between a first position wherein the sleeves are open,allowing the infant's hand to project from the distal end of the sleeve,and a second position wherein the sleeves are closed, thereby enclosingthe infant's hands within the garment. The back side of the sleeve maybe longer than the front side of the sleeve so that when the sleeve flapis inverted, bunching of the fabric of the front side is minimized, andthe closed sleeve is still long enough to accommodate the infant's armand hand.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sleeve flaps mayeach be formed from a fabric that is different than the fabric used toform the rest of the garment, either as to pattern, color, texture, orsome other perceivable distinction. The sleeve flaps may each have afirst side and a second side, the first side formed from a first fabricthat is different in pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivabledistinction, and the second side formed form a second fabric that isdifferent in pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivabledistinction. In this manner, when the sleeve flaps are in the first,non-converted position, the first fabric is exposed, and when the sleeveflaps are in the second, converted position, the second fabric isexposed. The sleeve flap fabrics and, particularly, the second fabricused for the second side of the sleeve flap may be selected on the basisof the fabric's ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development,such as a fabric featuring a high contrast, bold pattern.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of embodiments of the invention, with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the front side of a garment havingconvertible sleeves and a convertible bottom flap, wherein both sleevesand the bottom flap are in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garmentwherein a front opening of the garment is shown in the open position.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garmentwherein the first sleeve is inverted to show the back side of the firstsleeve, and wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the first,non-converted position.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garment,wherein the first sleeve is in the converted, second position.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garment,wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the converted, secondposition.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the back side of a convertible garment,wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the first, non-convertedposition.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the back side of a convertible garment,wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the second, convertedposition.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bottom portion of a convertible garment,wherein the bottom flap is in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bottom portion of a convertible garment,wherein the bottom flap is in the second, converted position.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sleeve of a convertible garment, wherein thesleeve is in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a sleeve of a convertible garment, wherein thesleeve is in the second, converted position.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method for converting an embodimentconvertible garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference initially to FIGS. 1-3 and 6, a convertible garment 10having sleeves 16, 17 and a convertible bottom flap 18 (see FIG. 6) isshown.

The garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 includes body 11. Body 11 may beformed from one or more pieces of fabric to form a body 11 having afront side 12 and a back side 13. For example, the body 11 may be madeup of two pieces of fabric, one piece forming the front side 12 of thegarment 10, and one piece forming the back side 13 of the garment 10.The front side 12 may be attached to the back side 13 by anyconventional means, such as sewing the front side 12 to the back side 13at two side seams. Alternatively, one piece of fabric may be used toform body 11, with the edges attached on one side seam. Alternatively,one continuous loop of fabric may be used to form the body 11 such thata portion of the fabric loop makes up the front side 12 of the garment10, and a portion of the fabric loop makes up the back side 13 of thegarment 10. Other fabric piece numbers and arrangements may also beused; for instance, more than one piece of fabric could be used to makefront side 12 of body 11, and/or more than one piece of fabric could beused to make the back side 13 of body 11.

In an embodiment, bottom flap 18 is of a length less than the length ofthe body 11 of the garment, as can be seen in FIG. 6. Bottom flap 18 maybe movably attached to the body 11 of garment 10 by any conventionalmeans. For example, bottom flap 18 may be movably attached to the body11 by sewing the side edges of bottom flap 18 in-between the piece orpieces of fabric forming front side 12 and the piece or pieces of fabricforming back side 13, with the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 sewn to thepiece of fabric forming back side 13. Alternatively, both the side edgesand the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 may be sewn to the piece or piecesof fabric forming back side 13. If one piece of fabric is used to formbody 11, with the edges joined on one side seam, one side edge and thebottom edge of bottom flap 18 may be sewn to the portion of the fabricthat makes up the back side 13 of body 11, and one side edge of thebottom flap 18 may sewn into the side seam. If one continuous loop offabric is used to form body 11, the side edges and bottom edge of bottomflap 18 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the backside 13 of body 11. Regardless of how bottom flap 18 is attached to thebody 11, the top edge of bottom flap 18 is not attached to body 11, butis left free, so that an invertible pouch is formed between bottom flap18 and the back side 13 of body 11.

In FIG. 6, the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 is curvilinear, as are thebottom edges of the front side 12 and the back side 13 of body 11.However, the bottom edges need not be curvilinear as shown, and mayalternatively be straight edges or any other shape.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, in an embodiment, bottom flap 18 includesone-half of a closure 22 attached to its top, free edge, which, whenbottom flap 18 is inverted, may mate with the other half of the closure22 that is attached to the front side 12 of body 11. The closure 22 maybe, for example, a snap closure, with the male half of the closureattached to the front side 12 of body 11, and the female half of theclosure attached to the top edge of bottom flap 18, or vice versa. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, one half of closure 22 isattached to the underside of a tab formed on the front side 12 of thegarment 10. However, this half of closure 22 may alternatively beattached in an exposed position on the front side 12 of the garment.Other conventional closures 22 may be used, such as a button and buttonhole, a hook and eye, Velcro®, zippers, or the like. One or moreclosures 22 may be included. In another embodiment, no closure 22 isincluded.

In an embodiment, the back side 13 of body 11 is longer than the frontside 12 of body 11, as can be seen in FIGS. 1-3. For instance, back side13 may be approximately 1 cm longer than front side 12, as measured atthe midline of the garment. Having back side 13 be slightly longer thanfront side 12 helps minimize bunching of the fabric forming the frontside 12 when bottom flap 18 is inverted to the second, closed position.In another embodiment, back side 13 and front side 12 are approximatelythe same length.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, sleeves 16, 17 may be attached to body 11 neartop opening 14 by any conventional means. Each sleeve 16, 17 may beformed from one or more pieces of fabric to form a sleeve having a frontside 16 a, 17 a and a back side 16 b, 17 b. For example, each sleeve 16,17 may be made up of two pieces of fabric, one piece forming the frontside 16 a, 17 a of the sleeve 16, 17, and one piece forming the backside 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. The front sides 16 a, 17 a may beattached to the back sides 16 b, 17 b by any conventional means, such assewing the front side 16 a, 17 a to the back side 16 b, 17 b at two sideseams. Alternatively, each sleeve 16, 17 may be made up of one piece offabric, with the edges joined on one side seam. Alternatively, eachsleeve 16, 17 may be made up of one continuous loop of fabric such thata portion of the fabric loop makes up the front side 16 a, 17 a of thesleeve 16, 17, and a portion of the fabric loop makes up the back side16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. Other fabric piece numbers andarrangements may be used; for instance, more than one piece of fabriccould be used to make the front side 16 a, 17 a of each sleeve 16, 17,and/or more than one piece of fabric could be used to make the backsides 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17. Regardless of how sleeve 16, 17is formed, the most distal portion of each sleeve 16, 17 is left open,such that openings 23, 24 are formed in each sleeve, through which aninfant's hand may project when the garment is worn by an infant.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, in an embodiment, each sleeve 16, 17includes a sleeve flap 19, 20 movably attached to the back side 16 b, 17b of the sleeve 16, 17, as described further below. The back side 16 b,17 b of each sleeve 16, 17 may be longer than the front side 16 a, 17 aof the sleeve 16, 17. For instance, the back side 16 b, 17 b may beapproximately 3-6 cm longer than the front side 16 a, 17 a, as measuredat the midline of the sleeve. The front side 16 a, 17 a of each sleeve16, 17 may be of a length that is approximately as long as an infant'sarm, while the added length of the back side 16 b, 17 b may be of alength that is approximately as long as an infant's hand such that theback side 16 b, 17 b of sleeve 16, 17 is approximately as long as aninfant's arm and hand combined. Having the back side 16 b, 17 b belonger than the front side 16 a, 17 a helps to minimize bunching offabric when the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are inverted to the second, closedposition, while ensuring that the arm of the garment is sufficientlylong to enclose an infant's arm and hand when the sleeve flaps 19, 20are in the inverted, closed position. In another embodiment, the backside 16 b, 17 b and the front side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17 areapproximately the same length.

Sleeve flaps 19, 20 may be movably attached to the back side 16 b, 17 bof the sleeve 16, 17 by any conventional means. For example, sleeveflaps 19, 20 may be movably attached to the back side 16 b, 17 b of thesleeve 16, 17 by sewing the side edges of the sleeve flap 19, 20in-between the piece or pieces of fabric forming front side 16 b, 17 band the piece or pieces of fabric forming back side 16 b, 17 b , withthe bottom edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 sewn to the piece of fabricforming back side 16 b, 17 b . Alternatively, both the side edges andthe bottom edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn to the piece of fabricforming back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. If one piece offabric is used to form each sleeve 16, 17, with the edges joined on oneside seam, one side edge of the sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn into theside seam, while a slit may be cut in the fabric forming the sleeveopposite the side seam, the other side edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 sewnbetween the two pieces of fabric formed by the slit; the bottom edge ofsleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makesup the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. If one continuous loopof fabric is used to form sleeve 16, 17, the side edges and bottom edgeof sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric thatmakes up the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. Regardless ofhow sleeve flap 19, 20 is attached to sleeve 16, 17, the top edge ofsleeve flap 19, 20 is not attached to sleeve 16, 17, but is left free,so that an invertible pouch is formed between sleeve flap 19, 20 and theback side 16 b, 17 b of sleeve 16, 17.

In FIG. 6, the bottom edge of each sleeve flap 19, 20 is curvilinear, asis the bottom edge of the back side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17.However, these edges need not be curvilinear as shown, and mayalternatively be straight edges or any other shape. Likewise, while thebottom edge of the front side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17 isstraight in FIGS. 1-3, it will be appreciated that this edge need not bestraight, and alternatively may be curvilinear or any other shape.

In FIGS. 1-3 and 6, an embodiment garment is shown in its non-convertedform. In the non-converted form, bottom flap 18 is in a first positionwherein bottom flap 18 is not inverted from the back side 13 to thefront side 12 of the garment 10. When bottom flap 18 is in thisposition, bottom opening 15 is open. In this position, the feet and legsof an infant wearing the garment may project through the bottom opening15.

In an embodiment, in the non-converted form, sleeve flaps 19, 20 arealso in a first position wherein the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are notinverted from the back side 16 b, 17 b to the front side 16 b, 17 b ofeach sleeve 16, 17. When sleeve flaps 19, 20 are in this position,sleeve openings 23, 24 are open. In this position, the hands of aninfant wearing the garment may project through the sleeve openings 23,24, allowing the infant's hands to be exposed.

In particular, FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodimentconvertible garment wherein bottom flap 18 (not visible) and sleeveflaps 19, 20 (not visible) are in the first, non-converted position. Inthis position, bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20 are each disposedon the back side 13 of the garment 10, leaving bottom opening 15 andsleeve openings 23, 24 all open. FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of thesame embodiment convertible garment wherein bottom flap 18 and sleeveflaps 19, 20 are in the first, non-converted position, i.e., aredisposed on the back side of the garment, leaving bottom opening 15 (notvisible) and sleeve openings 23, 24 (not visible) all open.

FIG. 3 is another front elevation view wherein bottom flap 18 (notvisible) and sleeve flaps 19 (visible) and 20 (not visible) are in thefirst, non-converted position. In FIG. 3, a portion of first sleeve 16is inverted to show the back side 16 b of sleeve 16, with first sleeveflap 19 movably attached to the back side 16 b of sleeve 16. Secondsleeve 17 is not inverted in FIG. 3, and therefore the second sleeveflap 20, disposed on the back side 17 b of sleeve 17, is not visible.

Garment 10 may further include a body opening 21 (see FIGS. 1-2). Bodyopening 21 allows for the body 11 of the garment 10 to be changedbetween a first, closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a second, openposition, as shown in FIG. 2. Body opening 21 may be located inapproximately the middle of the front side 12 of body 11. Body opening21 may run the full length of the front side 12, or it may run less thanthe full length of front side 12, i.e., body opening 21 may have ashorter length than the length of the front side 12 of body 11. Bodyopening 21 may include one or more closures 25 for closing body opening21. The closures 25 may be, for example, snap closures, or may be otherconventional closures 25, such as a button and button hole, hook andeye, Velcro®, zipper, or the like. In another embodiment, no bodyopening 21 is included. In other embodiments, body opening 21 may belocated elsewhere on the front side 12 of body 11, or it may be locatedon the back side 13 of body 11.

Turning to FIGS. 4-5 and 7, the convertible features of an embodimentgarment are shown. FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a convertiblegarment wherein bottom flap 18 (not visible) and sleeve flap 20 (notvisible) are in the first, non-converted position, whereas sleeve flap19 (visible) is in the second, converted position. In other words,bottom flap 18 and sleeve flap 20 in FIG. 4 are not inverted and arestill disposed on the back side of the garment, whereas sleeve flap 19is inverted to the front side 16 a of sleeve 16. Thus, sleeve opening 24of sleeve 17 is open, allowing for the hand of an infant wearing thegarment to project through opening 24, whereas sleeve opening 23 (notvisible) is closed, preventing the infant's hand from projecting throughopening 23. Further, because bottom flap 18 is not inverted, bottomopening 15 is open, such that the feet and legs of an infant wearing thegarment may project through the opening 15.

In FIG. 5, an embodiment garment is shown in its fully converted form.Bottom flap 18 is in a second position wherein bottom flap 18 isinverted from the back side 13 to the front side 12 of garment 10,thereby closing bottom opening 15 (not visible). This converted positionallows for the feet and legs of an infant wearing the garment 10 to beenclosed within the garment, i.e., the feet and legs do not projectthrough bottom opening 15. If included, optional closure 22 may beutilized to secure bottom flap 18 to the front side 12 of garment 10when bottom flap 18 is in the second, converted position.

Sleeve flaps 19 and 20 are also shown in their converted form in FIG. 5.In other words, each sleeve flap 19, 20 is inverted from the back side16 b, 17 b to the front side 16 b, 17 b of sleeves 16, 17, therebyclosing sleeve openings 23, 24 (not visible). This converted positionallows for the hands of an infant wearing the garment 10 to be enclosedwithin the garment, i.e., the hands do not project through sleeveopenings 23, 24.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the convertible garment 10 shown inFIG. 5 in its fully converted form. As is seen in FIG. 7, when garment10 is in its fully converted form, bottom flap 18 (not visible) andsleeve flaps 19, 20 (not visible) are in the second, converted position,i.e., are inverted from the back to the front of garment 10. In thisconfiguration, bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20 are no longerdisposed on the back of the garment, and bottom opening 15 (not visible)and sleeve openings 23, 24 (not visible) are each closed.

FIGS. 8-9 are side views of the bottom portion of an embodimentconvertible garment. In FIG. 8, bottom flap 18 is in the first,non-converted position, i.e., is not inverted from the back side 13 ofgarment 10, leaving bottom opening 15 open. In this position, the feetand legs of an infant wearing the garment may project through bottomopening 15.

In FIG. 9, bottom flap 18 is in the second, converted position, i.e., isinverted from the back side 13 to the front side 12 of garment 10,thereby closing bottom opening 15 (not visible). In this position, thefeet and legs of an infant wearing the garment are enclosed within thegarment, i.e., they do not project through bottom opening 15. Garment 10may further include closure 22, which may be utilized to secure bottomflap 18 to the front side 12 of garment 10 when bottom flap 18 is in thesecond, converted position.

FIGS. 10-11 are side views of a sleeve of an embodiment convertiblegarment. While only one sleeve 17 is shown, it will be appreciated thatthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11 may apply equally to both sleeves16, 17.

In FIG. 10, sleeve flap 20 is in the first, non-converted position,i.e., is not inverted from the back side 17 b to the front side 17 a ofsleeve 17, leaving sleeve opening 24 open. In this position, the hand ofan infant wearing the garment may project through sleeve opening 24,allowing the infant's hand to be exposed.

In FIG. 11, sleeve flap 20 is in the second, converted position, i.e.,is inverted from the back side 17 b to the front side 17 a of sleeve 17,thereby closing sleeve opening 24 (not visible). In this position, thehand of an infant wearing the garment is enclosed within the garment,i.e., does not project through sleeve opening 24.

In an embodiment, sleeve flap 20 includes a first side 20 a (visible inFIG. 10) and a second side 20 b (visible in FIG. 11). First side 20 aand second side 20 b may each be separate pieces of fabric joinedtogether through conventional means with their backsides facing, suchthat the front sides of the fabric pieces are exposed. Alternatively,sleeve flap 20 may be a single piece of fabric that is printed on bothsides.

In an embodiment, first side 20 a and second side 20 b are each formedfrom fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest ofgarment 10, either as to pattern, color, texture, or some otherperceivable distinction. For example, while the rest of garment 10 maybe formed from one or more solid-color fabrics, first side 20 a may beformed from a patterned fabric, and second side 20 b may be formed froma different patterned fabric. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11,for instance, first side 20 a is formed from a fabric having an animalpattern, whereas second side 20 b is formed from a fabric having adotted pattern. Alternatively, first side 20 a and second side 20 bcould both be formed from the same fabric, which is different than thefabric used to form the rest of the garment 10, either as to pattern,color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. Although ananimal pattern is shown in FIG. 10 and a dotted pattern is shown in FIG.11, it will be understood that other patterns, colors, and textures maybe used.

By being formed of fabric that is different than the fabric used to formthe rest of garment 10, different patterns, colors, or textures areexposed depending on whether the sleeve 17 is converted or not. Forinstance, in FIG. 10, which shows sleeve flap 20 in its non-converted,first position, first side 20 a, printed with an animal pattern, isexposed. However, when sleeve flap 20 is converted to the secondposition as shown in FIG. 11, i.e., is inverted from the back side 17 bto the front side 17 a of sleeve 17, second side 20 b, printed with adotted pattern, is exposed.

In an embodiment, the fabric or fabrics selected for the first andsecond sides 20 a, 20 b are selected on the basis of the fabric'sability to stimulate infant brain and eye development. For instance, apatterned fabric featuring a high contrast, bold pattern, such as thedotted pattern shown in FIG. 11, may be selected because of its abilityto stimulate infant brain and eye development. Such a fabric may be usedsolely for second side 20 b, which is exposed to the infant's view whensleeve flap 20 is in the second, converted position. Alternatively, sucha fabric, or two or more of such fabrics, may be used for both sides 20a, 20 b. Although a dotted pattern is shown in FIG. 11, it will beunderstood that any other pattern, color, texture, or other perceivabledistinction that has the ability to stimulate infant brain and eyedevelopment may be used.

Turning to FIG. 12, a flow chart of a method for converting anembodiment convertible garment having both a bottom flap 18 and sleeveflaps 19, 20 from a first, non-converted position to a second, convertedposition, and then back to a first, non-converted position, is shown.

Blocks 1201-1203 of FIG. 12 illustrate a process for converting garment10 from a non-converted, first position to a fully converted, secondposition. At block 1201, bottom flap 18 of garment 10 is inverted fromthe back side 13 to the front side 12 of garment 10. At block 1202,sleeve flap 19 is inverted from the back side 16 b to the front side 16a of sleeve 16. At block 1203, sleeve flap 20 is inverted from the backside 17 b to the front side 17 a of sleeve 17. As a result of thesesteps, garment 10 is fully converted from a first, non-convertedposition, to a second, converted position. It will be appreciated thatthe order shown in blocks 1201-1203 of FIG. 12 is non-limiting, and thatthe conversion process can proceed in other orders, for example, one orboth sleeve flaps 19, 20 may be inverted before bottom flap 18 isinverted; further, multiple convertible elements may be converted at thesame time It will also be appreciated that less than all threeconvertible elements may be converted, for example, the bottom flap 18may be converted while the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are not converted, orsleeve flap 19 may be converted while bottom flap 18 and sleeve flap 20are not converted, and so on.

Blocks 1204-1206 of FIG. 12 illustrate a process for converting garment10 from a fully converted, second position to a non-converted, firstposition. At block 1204, bottom flap 18 of garment 10 is inverted fromthe front side 12 to the back side 13 of garment 10. At block 1205,sleeve flap 19 is inverted from the front side 16 a to the back side 16b of sleeve 16. At block 1206, sleeve flap 20 is inverted from the frontside 17 a to the back side 17 b of sleeve 17. As a result of thesesteps, garment 10 is fully converted from a second, converted positionto a first, non-converted position. It will be appreciated that theorder shown in blocks 1204-1206 of FIG. 12 is non-limiting, and that theconversion process can proceed in other orders, for example, one or bothsleeve flaps 19, 20 may be inverted before bottom flap 18 is inverted;further, multiple convertible elements may be un-converted at the sametime. It will also be appreciated that less than all three convertibleelements may be un-converted, for example, the bottom flap 18 may beun-converted while the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are not un-converted, orsleeve flap 19 may be un-converted while bottom flap 18 and sleeve flap20 are not un-converted, and so on.

While the garment 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-12 has both a bottom flap 18and sleeve flaps 19, 20, it will be understood that in an embodiment,the garment 10 may only have the bottom flap 18, i.e., the sleeves 16,17 of the garment may not be convertible as described herein, or garment10 may simply not include any sleeves. In another embodiment, garment 10may only have sleeve flaps 19, 20 and not bottom flap 18, i.e., thebottom of the garment may not be convertible as described herein. Such agarment may have legs attached to the distal portion of body 11, ratherthan having the bottom opening 15 and bottom flap 18 shown in thefigures.

While the garment 10 described herein is described with reference to aparticular application, namely, a garment for infants, it will beunderstood that the garment 10 may alternatively have otherapplications. For instance, the garment 10 may be sized larger so thatit may be worn by older children, or even larger yet so that it may beworn by adults.

Further, while the garment 10 described herein is described withreference to a garment wherein bottom flap 18 and/or sleeve flaps 19, 20are disposed on the back side of the garment 10 when in theirnon-converted position, it will be understood that bottom flap 18 and/orsleeve flaps 19, 20 may alternatively be disposed on the front side ofthe garment 10 when in their non-converted position. In such anembodiment, bottom flap 18 and/or sleeve flaps 19, 20 are invertiblefrom a first, non-converted position, wherein the flaps are disposed onthe front side of the garment leaving bottom opening 15 and/or sleeveopenings 23, 24 open, to a second, converted position, wherein the flapsare inverted to the back side of the garment, thereby closing off bottomopening 15 and/or sleeve openings 23, 24.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined intomany other different systems or applications. Various presentlyunforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, orimprovements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in theart which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising: a body having a front side,a back side, a top opening, and a bottom opening; a first sleeveattached to the body near the top opening; a second sleeve attached tothe body near the top opening; and a bottom flap movably attached to theback side of the body, the bottom flap convertible between a firstposition wherein the bottom opening of the body is in an open position,and a second position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in aclosed position.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve andthe second sleeve each further comprise a front side and a back side,the garment further comprising: a first sleeve flap movably attached tothe back side of the first sleeve, the first sleeve flap convertiblebetween a first position wherein an opening in the first sleeve is in anopen position, and a second position wherein the opening in the firstsleeve is in a closed position; and a second sleeve flap movablyattached to the back side of the second sleeve, the second sleeve flapconvertible between a first position wherein an opening in the secondsleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the openingin the second sleeve is in a closed position.
 3. The garment of claim 2,wherein the back side of the first sleeve is longer than the front sideof the first sleeve, and the back side of the second sleeve is longerthan the front side of the second sleeve.
 4. The garment of claim 2,wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have afirst side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flapand the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric differentthan a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and the second sidesof the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed froma second fabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of thegarment.
 5. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a closure forremovably attaching the bottom flap to the front side of the body whenthe bottom flap is in the second position.
 6. The garment of claim 1,further comprising a front opening in approximately the middle of thefront side of the body, the front opening including a closure fordetachably closing the front opening.
 7. The garment of claim 1 whereina length of the front side of the body is less than a length of the backside of the body.
 8. A garment comprising: a body having a front side, aback side, a top opening, and a bottom opening; a first sleeve attachedto the body near the top opening, the first sleeve having a front sideand a back side; a second sleeve attached to the body near the topopening, the second sleeve having a front side and a back side; a bottomflap movably attached to the back side of the body, the bottom flapconvertible between a first position wherein the bottom opening of thebody is in an open position, and a second position wherein the bottomopening of the body is in a closed position; a first sleeve flap movablyattached to the back side of the first sleeve, the first sleeve flapconvertible between a first position wherein an opening in the firstsleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the openingin the first sleeve is in a closed position; and a second sleeve flapmovably attached to the back side of the second sleeve, the secondsleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening inthe second sleeve is in an open position, and a second position whereinthe opening in the second sleeve is in a closed position.
 9. The garmentof claim 8, wherein the back side of the first sleeve is longer than thefront side of the first sleeve, and the back side of the second sleeveis longer than the front side of the second sleeve.
 10. The garment ofclaim 8, wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap eachhave a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeveflap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabricdifferent than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and thesecond sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap areeach formed from a second fabric different than the fabric used to formthe rest of the garment.
 11. The garment of claim 8, further comprisinga closure for removably attaching the bottom flap to the front side ofthe body when the bottom flap is in the second position.
 12. The garmentof claim 8, further comprising a front opening in approximately themiddle of the front side of the body, the front opening including aclosure for detachably closing the front opening.
 13. A garmentcomprising: a body having a front side, a back side, and a top opening;a first sleeve attached to the body near the top opening, the firstsleeve having a front side and a back side; a second sleeve attached tothe body near the top opening, the second sleeve having a front side anda back side; a first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side ofthe first sleeve, the first sleeve flap convertible between a firstposition wherein an opening in the first sleeve is in an open position,and a second position wherein the opening in the first sleeve is in aclosed position; and a second sleeve flap movably attached to the backside of the second sleeve, the second sleeve flap convertible between afirst position wherein an opening in the second sleeve is in an openposition, and a second position wherein the opening in the second sleeveis in a closed position.
 14. The garment of claim 13 further comprising:a bottom opening; and a bottom flap movably attached to the back side ofthe body, the bottom flap convertible between a first position whereinthe bottom opening of the body is in an open position, and a secondposition wherein the bottom opening of the body is in a closed position.15. The garment of claim 13 further comprising two legs attached to adistal portion of the body.
 16. The garment of claim 13, wherein thefirst sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have a first side anda second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flap and the secondsleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric different than a fabricused to form the rest of the garment, and the second sides of the firstsleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a secondfabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment.17. An apparel item comprising: a trunk having a front side, a backside, a head slit, and a foot slit; a first arm attached to the trunknear the head slit; a second arm attached to the trunk near the headslit; and a bottom overlay movably attached to the back side of thetrunk, the bottom overlay convertible between a first position whereinthe foot slit of the trunk is in an open position, and a second positionwherein the foot slit of the trunk is in a closed position.
 18. Theapparel item of claim 17, wherein the first arm and the second arm eachfurther comprise a front side and a back side, the apparel item furthercomprising: a first arm overlay movably attached to the back side of thefirst arm, the first arm overlay convertible between a first positionwherein an opening in the first arm is in an open position, and a secondposition wherein the opening in the first arm is in a closed position;and a second arm overlay movably attached to the back side of the secondarm, the second arm overlay convertible between a first position whereinan opening in the second arm is in an open position, and a secondposition wherein the opening in the second arm is in a closed position.19. The apparel item of claim 18, wherein the first arm overlay and thesecond arm overlay each have a first side and a second side, the firstsides of the first arm overlay and the second arm overlay are eachformed from a first textile different than a textile used to form therest of the apparel item, and the second sides of the first arm overlayand the second arm overlay are each formed from a second textiledifferent than the textile used to form the rest of the apparel item.20. The apparel item of claim 18, further comprising means for removablyattaching the bottom overlay to the front side of the trunk when thebottom overlay is in the second position.
 21. The apparel item of claim18, further comprising a placket in approximately the middle of thefront side of the trunk, the placket including means for detachablyclosing the placket.